By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Oyo state government has flagged off the biometric enumeration of traders, artisans, industrialist and members of cooperative societies in the state.
While unveiling the exercise tagged ‘Ise D’otun’ held in Ibadan, the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni stated that the exercise would help the government ascertain the details of traders, artisans industrialists and members of cooperative societies who are operating in the state.
She said that this will enhance the distribution of dividends of democracy and ensure it gets to the targeted members of the public.
The Head of Service hinted that the present administration is working tirelessly and putting up necessary measures to ensure life is worth living, hence the initiative of ‘Ise D’otun’.
She therefore urged the traders, artisans and all groups to be enumerated to cooperate with the state government to ensure the successful collation of their data as it will enhance their business through various support opportunities from government, stockholders and NGOs.
In his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Ademola Ojo said, having accurate data of the informal sector would enhance the state government’s access to facilitate local and international grants, loans and other supports for the participants.
He added that the program would also give the beneficiaries the opportunity to use their numeric strength to enjoy affordable insurance plans in case of fire outbreak and also give them other business opportunities.
The Commissioner further stressed that ‘Ise Dotun’ is a laudable business development solution for traders, artisans, cooperatives and small scale industrialists in Oyo state, which is aimed at promoting economic growth and development in the state, anchored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives.
According to him, the consultant engaged by the state government to carry out the program, had equally concluded arrangements with one of the leading network service providers in the country to gather everyone to be enumerated under the Close Users Group (CUG) which would give them opportunity to make telephone calls to one another at a very discounted rate of N500 only per person per month.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Labake Lawal and Alhaji Jubril Adebayo commended the present administration for being a government of the masses through its various programs in alleviating hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.
They said the initiative would go a long way in boosting businesses in the state, pledging their unalloyed support to government policies.
